Plug-n-light musical firework apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for conducting a musically choreographed fireworks display is provided. The apparatus comprises a multi-shot fireworks cake having a primary fuse, at least one ignition sensor configured to detect ignition of the primary fuse, and an audio device circuit, electrically coupled to the at least one ignition sensor and configured to output an audio signal upon detection of the ignition of the primary fuse. The apparatus may also include a memory which stores a plurality of audio files and a plurality of ignition sensors located throughout the multi-shot fireworks cake, each ignition sensor configured to detect ignition of at least one individual fuse. The audio device is may also be configured to convert a different sequentially ordered audio file of the plurality of audio files upon detection of ignition of each ignition sensor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/445,542, entitled “Plug-N-Light Musical FireworkApparatus,” filed on Feb. 23, 2011, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to multi-shot firework devicesand more particularly to a method and apparatus for providingsynchronized music to a multi-shot firework device.

BACKGROUND

The process of performing a musical choreographed fireworks show is acomplex task requiring many hours of preparation, expensive equipment,and a great deal of experience. This experience is generally onlyavailable to the public through viewing a professionally performedfireworks show. Although this experience is desirable for the end-userand the availability of multi-shot firework devices are readilyavailable for purchase and use by the general public, a consumer isgenerally unable to recreate a musically choreographed show due to thecomplexity and expense.

Therefore, a need exists for a device to allow a user to easily presenta musically choreographed fireworks show.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, and which together with the detailed description below areincorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to furtherillustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles andadvantages all in accordance with the present disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-shot musical fireworks device, inaccordance with one example;

FIG. 2 illustrates an audio device component of the multi-shot musicalfireworks device of FIG. 1, in accordance with one example;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example audio device component, inaccordance with one example; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example musically choreographedfireworks process according to one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it isto be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples andthat the systems and methods described below can be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the disclosed subject matter in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms andphrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, toprovide an understandable description.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more thantwo. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The terms “including” and “having,” as used herein, are definedas comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein,is defined as “connected,” although not necessarily directly, and notnecessarily mechanically.

Described below are systems, apparatus and methods that allow a typicalconsumer to readily create a musically choreographed fireworks display.One example of the present invention provides a multi-shot musicalfirework device which provides the average consumer with the capabilityto operate a musical choreographed fireworks show with littlepreparation and expense. One example of the multi-shot musical fireworkdevice combines a typical multi-shot firework device, commonly known inthe art as a “multi-shot cake,” or a precisely timed multi-shot fireworkcake, with a recorded audio device. The audio device is designed tobegin playback of prerecorded audio upon detection of the ignition of aprimary starting fuse of the multi-shot musical firework device. Therecorded audio is choreographed to coincide with the launch ofindividual firework shots within the multi-shot cake. In other words,the timing of the launch of individual fireworks shots may be such thatthe sequence of shots appears to play along with the audio file. In analternative example, the audio may be recordable by the end-user formore personalization.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a diagram of an example multi-shot musicalfireworks device 100 is shown. Multi-shot musical fireworks device 100includes an audio device circuit 102 positioned on a multi-shot fireworkcake 104. An ignition sensor 106 is positioned/placed to detect ignitionof the primary fuse 108 for the multi-shot firework cake 104. Leads 110to the ignition sensor 106 may be longer or shorter than shown, oromitted entirely. When the primary fuse 108 is lit, the ignition sensor106 triggers the audio device circuit 102 to begin playback of aprerecorded audio clip (i.e. a short audio file). Additionally, theaudio device circuit 102 may include a plurality of ignition sensors 106located throughout the multi-shot firework cake 104 and attached toindividual fuses of at least one single shot 112, allowing differentaudio clips to be played at different times during the fireworksdisplay. Although FIG. 1 displays a certain number of shots andpositioning of the audio device circuit, the example shown is notintended to limit the number of shots, tubes, configuration, size orshape of the multi-shot firework cake 104.

Turning now to FIG. 2, an example audio device circuit component 102contains an audio test button 202, an indicator LED 204, aprerecorded/recordable audio circuit 206, a power supply 208 (e.g.,batteries), an audio output 210 (such as a jack, terminal and/orspeaker) and at least one ignition sensor 106.

The ignition sensor 106 is placed on the fuse 108 and secured in place.Upon detection of a burning fuse, the audio device circuit 102 playsrecorded audio through the audio output 210. The ignition sensor 106 mayor may not have extending wire leads 110 to aid in the placement of theignition sensor 106 on the multi-shot firework cake 104. The audiodevice circuit 102 is responsible for storing and playing recordedaudio. The audio device circuit 102 may be a prerecorded only or are-recordable circuit. In the case of a re-recordable circuit, the audiodevice circuit 102 is additionally connected to a means for recordingthe audio, such as but not limited to, an input jack/terminal,microphone, a data port (e.g., a universal serial bus (“USB”) port) or anetwork connection, either wired or wireless, for transferring data.Additionally, when the audio device circuit 102 is playing the recordedaudio, the indicator LED 204 may be activated to show the user that theaudio device circuit 102 is in playback mode.

The audio output 210 may be connected to a typical stereo/boom-boxequipped with an auxiliary port via audio cable (not shown). The audiooutput 210 provides a point of electrical communication between theaudio device circuit 102 to the stereo of choice via a connecting audiocable. Alternatively or additionally, the audio output 210 may also beconnected to a wireless interface, such as, but not limited to an FMradio transmitter or other short-range wireless communication, such as acommunication system using the BLUETOOTH® communication protocol orWI-FI® communication protocol, for a “wireless” audio transmission.Additionally or alternatively, the audio device circuit 102 may includea speaker (not shown) connected to the audio output 210 such that theentire multi-shot musical fireworks device 100 is a self-contained unit.

When the audio test button 202 is pressed, the audio device circuit 102begins playback of the prerecorded audio through the audio output 210 tothe stereo via an audio cable. As the audio is played, the volume levelon the stereo can then be adjusted prior to ignition of the fuse 108.

The audio device circuit 102 may be integrated into the multi-shotfirework cake 104 upon manufacturing to provide a custom fireworksdisplay experience, or may be attached as a separate device which mayoperate with any typical multi-shot fireworks cake.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate example of an audio device circuit302 is shown. Audio device circuit 302 includes an audio controller 304,such as, for example, a general purpose microprocessor or an applicationspecific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) designed specifically to playbackrecorded audio files 306 stored in memory 308. Audio controller 304, inaddition to controlling the operation of the audio device circuit 302,may include audio specific circuitry, such as but not limited to, audiooutput drivers for driving the audio output 310, digital signalprocessors (“DSP”) for converting digital data files into analog audiosignals, analog-to-digital converters and digital-to-analog converters,and any necessary codecs for encoding/decoding audio files. The audiooutput 310 may include a jack, terminal or speaker. The audio files 306may be input to the audio device circuit through the audio input 312,which may include a microphone, jack or terminal, and stored as a datain the memory 308. Additionally, audio files may be input to the audiodevice circuit 302 through a data port 314, such as a Universal SerialBus (USB) port, serial port, parallel port, firewire port, or other suchport.

The audio controller 304 may also transfer data files, such as audiofiles, through a communication interface 316 which may communicate withother devices using known communication protocols such as, but notlimited to, the protocols defined under the Institute of Electronics andElectrical Engineers (“IEEE”) standard family 802, BLUETOOTH®, ZIGBEE®,traditional FM broadcasts, etc.

The audio device circuit 302 is powered from a power supply 318 such asbatteries.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a flowchart is provided illustrating an exampleprocess 400 for providing a choreographed fireworks display. Beginningat step 402, at least one audio file is provided for a multi-shotfireworks cake. When a multi-shot ignition trigger is detected, at step404, the first audio file is output through an audio output port. Ifthis is the only audio file, no other ignition trigger is detected andthe process will end when the audio file is finished playing. However,in the case where there are multiple triggers located strategicallythroughout the multi-shot cake for individual shots, each time anindividual shot ignition trigger is detected, at step 408, the “next”audio file in a sequentially ordered series of audio files is output, atstep 410. The process ends when there are no more triggers detected andthe final audio file has played.

Non-Limiting Examples

Although specific embodiments have been disclosed, those having ordinaryskill in the art will understand that changes can be made to thespecific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure. The scope of the subject matter contained in thepresent disclosure is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specificembodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any andall such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scopeof the present disclosure.

1. An apparatus for conducting a musically choreographed fireworksdisplay, the apparatus comprising: a multi-shot fireworks cake having aprimary fuse; at least one ignition sensor configured to detect ignitionof the primary fuse; and an audio device circuit, electrically coupledto the at least one ignition sensor, the audio device circuit configuredto output an audio signal upon detection of the ignition of the primaryfuse.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory storingat least one audio file, wherein the audio device circuit is configuredto create the audio signal by converting the at least one audio file. 3.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio file ispre-recorded upon manufacturing.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe at least one audio file is user-recorded.
 5. The apparatus of claim2, wherein the multi-shot fireworks cake comprises a plurality of singleshots, each shot having an individual fuse.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5,wherein the memory stores a plurality of audio files, the apparatusfurther comprising: a plurality of ignition sensors located throughoutthe multi-shot fireworks cake, each ignition sensor configured to detectignition of at least one individual fuse; and wherein the audio deviceis configured to convert a different sequentially ordered audio file ofthe plurality of audio files upon detection of ignition of each ignitionsensor.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio device circuitfurther comprises an audio port, the audio device circuit is furtherconfigured to output the audio signal through the audio port.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio device circuit further comprisesa wireless interface, the audio device circuit is further configured tooutput the audio signal through the wireless interface.
 9. The apparatusof claim 8, wherein the wireless interface is an FM transmitter.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the wireless interface operates using oneof Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi communication protocols.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio device circuit further comprisesa speaker, the audio device circuit is further configured to output theaudio signal through the speaker.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe audio device circuit is integrated into the multi-shot fireworkscake.
 13. A method of conducting a musically choreographed fireworksdisplay, the method comprising: providing an apparatus having amulti-shot fireworks cake with a primary fuse, at least one ignitionsensor, and an audio device circuit; detecting ignition of the primaryfuse using the at least one ignition sensor; and outputting at least oneaudio signal using the audio device circuit in response to detecting theignition of the primary fuse.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theapparatus further comprises a memory storing at least one audio file,the method further comprises: creating the audio signal by convertingthe at least one audio file.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein themulti-shot fireworks cake comprises a plurality of single shots, eachshot having an individual fuse.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein thememory stores a plurality of audio files, the method further comprising:detecting ignition of an individual fuse; converts a sequentiallyordered audio file of the plurality of audio files into a sequence ofaudio signals upon detection of ignition the ignition sensor; andrepeating the detecting and converting steps until one of all of theplurality of audio files have been converted and all the individualfuses have been ignited.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein outputtingthe at least one audio signal comprises outputting the sequence of audiosignals upon conversion.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein outputtingthe audio signal comprises transmitting the audio signal through awireless interface.
 19. An apparatus for conducting a musicallychoreographed fireworks display, the apparatus comprising: at least oneignition sensor configured to detect ignition of a primary fuse of amulti-shot fireworks cake; and an audio device circuit, electricallycoupled to the at least one ignition sensor, the audio device circuitconfigured to output an audio signal upon detection of the ignition ofthe primary fuse.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: amemory storing a plurality of audio files; wherein the multi-shotfireworks cake comprises a plurality of ignition sensors locatedthroughout the multi-shot fireworks cake, each ignition sensorconfigured to detect ignition of at least one individual fuse, the audiodevice is configured to convert a different sequentially ordered audiofile of the plurality of audio files upon detection of ignition of eachignition sensor.